Council services set for festive shake-up

Abdul Jabbar

OLDHAM Council will be carrying out its Christmas holidays closure scheme again this year.

As in previous years many of the public services and facilities run by the local authority and its partners will be scaled down during the holiday period.

Emergency out-of-hours services will remain available for urgent situations such as social care, but residents should only use them in genuine cases.

The services affected - and details of emergency contact telephone numbers - are on the council's website at oldham.gov.uk/christmas_closures and will also be advertised. Full details of the closure arrangements should also be displayed on posters in the affected venues.

There will be no waste collections on Boxing Day and affected households will receive a leaflet with all the relevant information about the changes to their collections in the run up to Christmas.

Waste and recycling can also be taken to Arkwright Street Household Waste and Recycling Centre, Oldham, OL9 9LZ or your nearest facility. The centres are closed on December 25 and January 1.

You can recycle your Christmas tree by either cutting it into small pieces and putting it in your garden bin or by taking it to Arkwright Street Household Waste and Recycling centre or to one of the following recycling 'drop off' points from December 28 to January 22:

•Higher Memorial Park (car park), Joseph St, Failsworth;

•Royton Park (car park) off Bleasdale St, Royton;

•Werneth Park (car park) off Frederick St, Werneth; or

•Churchill Playing Fields (car park), Wellington Rd, Greenfield.

To find out what you can recycle, check your postcode and view dates of your collection, visit oldham.gov.uk/waste.

Councillor Abdul Jabbar, cabinet member for finance and human resources, said: "Our Christmas closure scheme has been running for many years and again we've planned so that residents are largely unaffected.

"At this time of year, it's usually very quiet for the core services we provide.

"Therefore, it makes good, economic sense for council staff to take three days unpaid leave (December 28, 29, 30) so the Christmas shutdown can take place.

"This saves money for council tax payers by enabling us to shut down systems such as heating in council buildings.

"It's important people are aware of these arrangements and know that many of our usual services are shut. We'd like to reassure residents that if they have an urgent need there will be staff and resources available to provide assistance, but please only contact us if you have a genuine need."